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DISCOURSE Q^^^ /{/C^. 






OCCASIONED 
BY THE 

DEATH 

OF THE 
PASTOR OF THE NORTH CHURCH IN 

PORTSMOUTH, 

WHO DIED AT READSBOROUGH, VER. 
JUNE lO, 1812, 

DELIVERED TO HIS BEREAVED PEOPLE 

JUNE 19, 1812, 



Sou Tcainan ^J^arAcTy 

iWmisfter of ti^e g^outlj CIjurc]&» 



•>0«>0<*0<'0<>0<'0«* 



Published by Request, 



Printed at Portsmouth^ 
BY 8. VV^HIDDEN, 

AND SOLD AT HIS PRINTING OFFICE ON SPRING-HILL. — I 8 12, 



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i ymaL/a^i^ 



1 ^^ ^ ^ 



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ucourde. 



ACTS~^CHAj'rER2^. Verse sixiy. 

BUT JVOA^E OF THESE THI.YGS MOVE ME ; J^EITHER COUA'T I 
MY LIFE DEAR UjYTO MYSELF, SO THA T I MIGHT FIA^ISH 
MY COURSE WITH JOY, AXD THE MIATISTRY, WHICH I HAVE 
RECEIVED OF THE LORD JESUS^ TO TESTIFY THE GOSPEL 
OF THE GRACE OF GOD, 



I 



T IS a duty, which we owe to ourselves, to virtue, to 
religion, and to God, that we suffer not the memory of the 
righteous to perish. It is a duty, which we owe to the Great 
Redeemer, thankfully to acknowledge the rich blessings, granted 
to his church s and, when his faithful servants are removed from 
their earthly labors to pay our humble tribute of respect to their 
worth, and impress their virtues upon our hearts. 

A scene of uncommon woe has called us this day to the 
house of God. He, who giveth not account of himself to man, 
has, under circumstances of peculiar distress, called from this 
world a servant of Christ, who, for many years, broke to this 
church the bread of life, breathed in this place the spirit of pure 
devotion, was the medium of communication between heaven 
and earth, and testified to this people the gospel of the 
GRACE OF God. 

With great embarrassment I appear before you on this 
melancholy occasion. Having in the course of a few days been 



hurried from- one scene of affliction to another, each increasing 
in darkness and distress, my mind has been overwhelmed in 
dismay ; and I know not how to address you. Gladly would I 
shrink from public view, and yield this place to some one, whose 
talents, and christian experience, wou-ld enable him more accu- 
rately to describe, and more forcibly to impress upon your 
minds, the character of him, whose loss we deplore ; and would 
give a deeper interest in your hearts to the consolations of the 
GOSPEL OF THE GRACE OF GoD. But I am not pkccd here to 
indulge personal grief, nor to aggravate the sufferings of the 
afflicted. I w^ould, as a minister of Christ, and in the name of 
him, who came into this world to bind up the broken hearted, 
assist you in properly noticing and improving the solemn Prov- 
idence, which has covered this temple with mourning, and filled 
your eyes with tears. 

As a proper guide on this mournful occasion, I have 
selected a part of Paul's address to the elders of the church at 
Ephesus, whom he met for the last time upon earth : But 

NONE OF THESE THINGS MOVE ME 5 NEITHER COUNT I MV 
LIFE DEAR UNTO MYSELF, SO THAT I MIGHT FINISH MV 
COURSE WITH JOY, AND THE MINISTRY, WHICH I HAVE RE- 
CEIVED OF THE LORD JESUS, TO TESTIFY THE GOSPEL OF THE 

GRACE OF GOD. Thcse words express that perfect devotion of 
heart to God, which every minister of Christ ought to have made. 
They are expressive of ardor in the service of Je^us Christ, and 
of a. determined resolution of fidelity to him, thoug^h dangers, 
difficulties and death, should threaten. 

Paul with full conviction, that his course would be marked 
with the most tremendous sufferings, that his life would be in 



perpetual jeopardy, was not disobedient to the heavenly 
VISION. He, when impressed with conviction of the truth, as it 
is in Jesus ; when his spiritual vision was purged, and he saw 
the worth and the glory of the gospel of the grace of god ; 
when he became impressed vs^ith its absolute necessity to the 
salvation of a sinful world, put on the armor of god, and en- 
listed, as a determined, zealous and powerful soldier under the 
banner of the Cross ; and commenced a conflict against igno- 
rance, sin and wretchedness. 

The prominent traits in the character of this great apos- 
tle, were deep conviction of the truth and importance of the 
religion, which he advocated ; a firmness in promoting its in- 
terests, which no difficulties could overcome ; a zeal, never 
wearied in the service of his Master y such perfect devotion of 
heart to Jesus Christ, as in his .view rendered worthless all 
human distinctions, and of no account all temporal embarrass- 
ments, when compared with the interests of the Redeemer's 
kingdom, and the honours reserved for those, who fuccessfully 
struggle in the glorious combat, to which he was devoted. 

Paul, educated in the straitest sect of the Jewish religion, 
having imbibed the prejudices of his nation, once opposed the 
faith, which afterw^ards he embraced and defended. All the pow- 
ers of his vigorous and cultivated mind, all the firmness, and 
persevering industry, for which his character was ever distin- 
guished, were brought into operation for the destruction of the 
humble followers of the Lamb, and the religion, which to them 
was dearer, than life. Christ appeared to him, and poured upon 
his mind the light of heavenly truth. He arrested the messen- 
B 



ger of cruelty in his sanguinary career. Paul saw, believed ancj 
embraced the Saviour. By miraculous interposition his mind 
was enlightened, and his heart sanctified. The glories of the 
Gospel beamed upon him. They entirely occupied his vigor- 
ous intellect, and softened his heart to devotion and love. Faith 
in Christ became deeply fixed ^ the truths of the Gospel gained 
his unwavering belief, and to be an instrument in enlightening 
and saving sinners, became an object of sacred ambition. That 
conviction of the truth, and importance of the Gospel, had 
perfect control of his mind and heart, cannot be doubted, when 
are recollected the sufferings and labours, which he endured in 
its advancement. 

When Paul submitted to the authority of Christ, he did 
not anticipate a life of ease and splendour. He knew the cir- 
cumstances of the church. He knew the malignant and per- 
severing opposition, which was making to destroy her existence, 
to pour contempt upon her sons, and to obliterate every vestige 
of the religion of Jesus. At all times he might have said, as he 
did, when about to visit Jerusalem : I go— not knowing the 

THINGS, THAT SHALL BEFAL ME SAVE, THAT THE HOLY 

GHOST WITNESSETH IN EVKRY CITY, SAYING, THAT BONDS AND 

AFFLICTIONS ABIDE ME. With that fimiucss of spirit, which 
a consciousness of the goodness of the cause, in Vv^hich he was 
engaged, inspired, and with a deep conviction of the importance 
of the services, which he was commanded to perform, this chris- 
tian hero met th^ dangers of his course, regardless of difficulties, 
that he might testify the gospel of the grace of god. 
The trials, through which he passed, might have overwhelmed 
an ordinary mind, in any common cause. A catalogue of them 



is given by himself. Of the jews five times received r 

FORTY STRIPES, SAVE ONE, THRICE WAS I BEATEN WITH 
RODS, ONCE WAS I STONED, THRICE I SUFFERED SHIPWRECK, 
A NIGHT AND A DAY I HAVE BEEN IN THE DEEP : IN JOURNEY- 
INGS OFTEN, IN PERILS OF WATERS, IN PERILS OF ROBBERS, IN 
PERILS BY MINE OWN COUNTRYMEN, IN PERILS BY THe HEA- 
THEN, IN PERILS IN THE CITY, IN PERILS IN THE WILDERNESS, 
IN PERILS IN THE SEA, IN PERILS AMONG FALSE BRETHREN ; IN 
WEARINESS AND PAINFULNESS, IN WATCHINGS OFTEN, IN HUNGER 
AND THIRST, IN FASTINGS OFTEN, IN COLD AND NAKEDNESS. BE- 
SIDE THOSE THINGS, THAT ARE WITHOUT, THAT WHICH COM- 
ETH UPON ME DAILY, THE CARE OF ALL THE CHURCHES. 

Such were the sufferings of this holy man ; yet he did not 
shrink from the christian warfare on account of the heat of the 
battle. With true christian firmness he says, i can do all 

THINGS THROUGH CHRIST, WHO STRENGTHENETH ME. DifFl» 

culties, and dangers never bore down his mind. None of these 
things moved him. His zeal never abated, but at all times glowed 
in his bosom. He did not count his life dear to himself^ so that he 
might finish his course with joy ^ and the ministry^ which he had received 
of the Lord yesus, to testify the gospel cj the grace of God, He was 
entirely devoted to his Master, and the best interests of man- 
kind. Though flattered with the prospect of distinction among 
the learned men of his nation, he was willing to be thought a 
fool by the advocates of worldly wisdom, that he might advance 
the reign of righteousness. He abandoned without a sigh every 
hope of earthly honor, when the indulgence of it was inconsis- 
tent with his duty to Christ. He was not left unsupported. 
He had the christian privilege of rejoicing in tribulations. His 
affections were placed on things above, and the hopes of religion 



rendered him superior to the fluctuations of earth. He rejoiced^ 
that be was couitted worthy to suffer shame for the name of Christ. 
So entirely was he devoted to the Redeemer, that he considered, 
as nothing, the sacrifices, which he made in his service. 

YEA, DOUBTLESS, AND I COUNT ALL THINGS BUT LOSS FOR THE EX- 
CKLLENCY OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST JESUS MY LORD ; FOR. 
WHOM I HAVE SUFFERED THE LOSS OF ALL THINGS, AND I DO COUNT 
THEM BUT REFUSE, THAT I MAY WIN CHRIST AND BE FOUND IN HIM, 
NOT HAVING MINE O V/ N R I G HT E O U S N E SS, W H IC H IS AFTER THE LAW) 

BUT. THAT, \VHICH IS IHROUGH THE FAITH OF CHRIST, THE RIGH- 
TEOUSNESS WHICH IS OF GOD BY FAITH; THAT I MAY KNOW HIM, 
AND THE POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION, AND THE FELLOVv^SHIP pF 
H IS SU FPFER INGS5 BEING MADE CO\ FORM ABLE UNTO HIS DEATH ; 
IF BY ANY MEANS I MIGHT ATTAIN UNTO TH2 RESURRECTION OF 
THE DEAD. 

The firmness, which Paul manifested in the cause of 
Christ, the uniform zeal, and exertion, which he displayed in 
his service, the unreserved consecration of himself, amid difR- 
culties and dangers, to the caufe, in which he was engaged, leave 
no doubt of the ftrength of his faith, and the importance, 
attached in his mind, to the religion, which he advocated. The 
calmnefs and joy, with which he paffed through a miniilry, filled 
with calamities, bear unequivocal evidence of the power of gcf- 
pel principles and motives to fuftain the mind under the prefTure 
of adverfity. He finished his course with joy, and the ministry ^ 
which he received of the Lord Jesus, He proclaimed to a great 
part of the civilized world the good news of falvation through a 
Redeemer ; and jaithjully teftified the gospel of the grace of God, 
When his Mafler called him from the fcene of his earthly labours, 
he was ready to depart, efleeming it a privilege to be abseitt Jrom 
the body, that he might be present with the Lord. 



Thefe reflections have been made upon the character of 
Paul, that your feelings and my own, might be prepared for fome 
appropriate remarks on the character of that venerable fervant of 
Jesus, whofe lofs wd deplore. You will not expect from me a 
complete deliniation of the character of the late refpected and 
beloved paftor of this church. Such a tafk, at any time, I fliould 
be incapable of performing ; under the circumftances, in v^hich 
I now appear before you, I shall not attempt to perform it. If 
fincere refpect, and love for the fervant of God, whofe death we 
lament, can claim indulgence for the imperfect sketches, which 
may be given, I fhall have fecured to me your candour. If what 
may be faid fliall be unworthy of the occafion, on which I am 
called to addrefs you, I fliall be folaced with the belief, that the 
character of your departed friend and fpiritual guide will not 
fufFer ; for, I truft, that his excellencies are deeply impreffed upon 
your hearts, and that you will do juflice to his memory. 

The Rev. JOSEPH BUCKMINSTER, d. d. was born in 
Rutland, Mafs. Oct. 14, 1751. His father, during a long minis- 
try in that town, was diftinguifhed for his active zeal in the duties 
of his facred ofRce. The late paftor of this church was early 
deftined for profeflional life. He was admitted, as a ftudent in 
Yale College, and received the ufual honours of that feminary. 
How he occupied his time during his academical courfe ; and in 
what eftimation he was held by the literary guardians of that 
refpectable feminary, may be inferred from his being elected to 
the office of tutor,^in which he continued four years. While an 
undergraduate, he became ferioufly impreffed with religious truth, 
and, as he hoped, reconciled to God by faith in his Son. From 
this important period of his life, till he became the paftor of this 



ro 

church, his attention was direflied to preparations for the chris- 
tian miniftry. In January 1779 he was folemnly dedicated to the 
pailoral office in this place. 

The charade r of Dr. Buckminder's mind was ftrongly 
marked. It had much originahty. No perfon could be con- 
fiderably converiant with him without noticing that flrength of 
volition, which always indicates luperiority of intelle6lual en- 
dowments. His mind was rapid in its operations, and impatient 
of delay. His imagination was excurfive, and ever on the wing. 
In the charafter of his mind, he appeared to have been qualified 
for diftinclion in the depaitment of elegant literature. Such in 
early life was his tafte for the charms of mufic and poetry, that 
he ferioufly apprehended, he fliould forego folid ufefulnefs of 
charafter to enjoy the pleafures of fancy. Under this appre- 
henfion he almoft totally abftrafted himfelf from his favourite 
purfuits, and for ParnaiTus, fubftituted Mount Zion. In his 
fervices, as a chriftian minifter, traces of a playful imagination 
were ever difcoverable. He feemed to delight to dwell on the fig- 
urative language, and rich imagery of the fcriptures, and to diefs 
the folemn truths of religion in all the ornaments, which the 
facred claflicks could fupply. 

His pafTions were naturally ardent and ftrong. They re- 
quired all the power of chriftianity for their control. This 
power was employed, and they were fan£lified to his Mafter's 
fervice. His heart was warm, afFe6tionate and eenerous. Frank- 
nefs and honefty were traits in his chara6ler, which all^ who 
knew him, mull: have obferved and admired. His purpofes 
were formed by the dictates of confcience, and he wifhed for no 
concealment j his errours were fuch as good men may commit, 



II 



and he was ever forward, when they were perceived by him, to 
acknowledge them. His confcience was remarkably deUcate and 
tender. He had fuch a deep impreffion of the nature of fm, 
that he habitually Ihrunk from it, as from every thing bafe, dif- 
honorable, and oppofed to the charafler of that God, whom he 
ferved. He ufed every proper means of preferving the delicacy 
of his moral tafte ; and through life was remarkable for the 
quicknefs, with which he perceived any deviation from moral rec- 
titude, and for the lively fenfibility, with which he obferved 
the flighteft fliades of iniquity. 

I have attempted to fix upon fome of the prominent traits 
in the character of Dr. Buckminfter's mind and heart, as they 
have been impreffed upon me, during the lliort period, in which 
I have been indulged with the privilege of his acquaintance. If 
the defcription, given, be in any degree corredf, it might have 
been expelled, that fuch natural talents, fanclified by religion, 
would attract the attention of the friends of Chrift, and be the 
means of advancing his glorious caufe. His natural talents 
were fanflified, and entirely devoted to the miniHry^ which he 
received of the Lord Jesus, In the formation of his minifterial 
chara6ler, and the difcharge of the duties of his facred office, his 
whole foul was engaged. Though he felt inofl fenfibly the con- 
tempt, poured by finners upon the kind meflages of his Mafter, 
and often lamented with much feeling the apparent inefficacy of 
his labours; yet he never relaxed his exertions to do good. He 
could have faid, when ftruggling with the difficulties, and dif- 
cou'ragements, which attend the duties ot the chriftian miniftry, 

NONE OF THESE THINGS MOVE ME ; NEITHER COUNT I MY 
LIFE DEAR UNTO MYSEiF, SO THAT I MAY FINISH MY COURSE 



12 



WITH JOY, AND THE MINISTRY WHICH I HAVE RECEIVED OF 
THE LORD JESUS, TO TESTIFY THE GOSPEL OF THE GRACE 
OF GOD. 

Dr. Buckmlnfter having early devoted himfelf to God in 
the Gofpel of his Son, from a fall conviaion of the divine origin 
of chriftianity, of the infinite worth of the truths, which it re- 
veals, and of the abfolute neceffity of the mediation of Jefus 
Chrift to prepare the way for the reconciliation of finners unto 
God, advocated the caufe of his Mafter with firmnefs ; and with 
perfevering zeal befought finners to fpurn the degrading bond- 
age of iniquity, to accept the gracious offers of pardon, to tajle 
and see, that the Lord is good. By his uniform exertions, and his 
entire confecration of himfelf to Chrift, he proved, that he was 
*' honeft in the facred caufe." Poffeffing a vigorous conflitution 
of body, he was enabled, with more conftancy, than many of his 
brethren, to labour in the vineyard of his Lord. He wifhed not 
to withhold himfelf from the work ; but was willing to spend, 
and be spent in his Masters service. He was in labours more abun- 
dant. He appeared ever anxious to difcover means, by which he 
could gain accefs to the human heart, and inculcate the truths of 
the gofpel. All, who wifhed for his inftruftions, found him grat- 
ified with affording them his affiilance. In promoting an acquain- 
tance with the facred fcriptures, and in cultivating among the 
people of his charge a devotional fpirit, he employed much of his 
time. To thefe purpofes he ftatedly devoted portions of each 
week ; and has often exprelTed the pleafure, which he received 
from attending with his friends, feafons feparated for improve- 
ment in religious knowledge, and for exercifes of piety. 

In times of ficknefs and forrow he appeared, as a minifter 



^3 

of the great pliyfician of fouls. He gave his aid in encouraging 
the hopes of the humble chriftian, languifliing by difeafe. He 
unfolded to him the animating promiies oi the gospel of the grace 
of God, and affured him, that death had no power to injure his 
beft interefts ^ for Jefus had taken away its fting, and brought 
life and immortality to light. When he faw a fniner finking into 
the grave carelefs concerning the fcenes, which vv'ere to open be- 
yond it, he felt all the folicitude and painful anxiety, which the 
moft facred friendihip could infpire. With the utmoft plain- 
nefs, and with affeftionate zeal he explained to him the condi- 
tions of falvation, and preffed upon him the abfolute neceffity of 

REPENTANCE TOWARD GOD, AND FAITH TOWARD OUR LORD, 

JESUS CHRIST. He direfted the thoughts of mourners to God, 
the good Father of all ; inculcated refignation to his will, as a 
rational duty ; taught the ules of adverfity, by his own prayers 
recommended them to divine mercy, and inftrufted them in the 
language and fpirit, in which they might addrefs God, with a 
hope, that he would heal the wounds, which he had infli6led, 
and enable them to rejoice in tribulation. He was instant in sea^ 
sony and out of season^ to testify the gospel of the grace of God, 

The charaflerifticks of his publick fervices were great folic- 
itude for the honour of Chrift, and the fouls of men ; great fo- 
lemnity and fervour. His prayers breathed a fpirit of ardent 
piety. They were evidence, that human wants, the dangers, 
which encompafs the chriftian's courfe, and the conflicts, to 
which goodnefs is expofed, were fubj efts ot habitual thought, 
and of retired prayer. He took delight in devotional exercifes, 
and was much engaged in them. He very juftly confidered de- 
C 



votion, as the life of chiiftian goodnefs, and often lamented the 
dreadful neglecSf of the duties of piety, which he had much rea- 
fon to fear, was charaflerifticks of our times. 

In preaching the unfearcbable riches of Chriff, he came 
to his people deeply impreffed with the infinite importance of 
the fubjefts, to which he called their attention, and earneftly de- 
firous of affeiting their hearts, that he might prefent them 
with joy at the bar of God. His fermons were not laboured by 
art ', but were calculated to imprefs the mind with the infinite 
w^orth of the religion, which they were defigned to fupport, and 
inculcate. Flis mind was not accuftomed to the regular man- 
agement of arguqientative difcourfe. It was impatient of the 
forms of clofe inveftigation^ and fyftematick reafoning. It glan- 
ced with rapidity from one fubjeft to another j and, when truth 
was thought to be difcovered, was eager to give to it a practical 
efFe(!f. His difcourfes, therefore, were often rather a colleflion 
of truths and exhortations, deem.ed important and ufeful, than a 
fyftematick arrangement of thoughts on any particular fubjefl. 
His fermons were always ferious ; his addreffes to the heart and 
confcience affe6lionate, impreffive, and often eloquent. 

No man was lefs difpofed, than Dr. Buckminfter, to enter 
the field of theological controverfy. His affections were too 
much mellowed and Iweetened by the fpirit of the gofpel, to per- 
mit him to feel, or exercife that theological hatred, which is 
often at the bottom of difputes, falfely called chriftian ; and 
which is always ftrengthened by the manner, in which they are 
generally managed. What he believed, he believed with bis 
whole heart, and defended with the firmnefs of full convicfion, 
and the warmth of ftrong feeling. In the expreffions of his be- 



15 

lief he was honeft ; and toward thofe, who differed from him, he 
was willing to extend his charity. To the catholicifm of his 
heart, to his poffeflion of that cha7'ity\ which hopeth all things^ 
my own experience enables me to bear decided teftimony ^ and I 
do it with fentiments of gratitude and refpect. 

Were he to confent to be clafied with any particular de- 
nomination of chriftians, he would rank himfelf w^ith the Caivi- 
nifts of the old school He adopted their modes of interpreting the 
fcriptures, and gave his decided fupport to the do6lrines, which 
they maintain. His faith remained unchanged from the begin- 
ning to the end of his chriftian courfe ; and the belief, that he 
had faithfully preached the truth to his people, was the confola- 
tion of his laft hours. During the courfe of his miniftry, he 
ever appeared happy, when engaged in befeeching fuiners to 
become reconciled to God. He did not count his lije dear unto 
himself^ so that he might finish his course with joy ^ and 'the minijlry^ 
which he had received of the Lord Jesus^ to tejiijy the gospel of the 
grace of God, His accomplifhments, as a chrillian minifter, 
attrafted public attention. '* The eftimation, in which he was 
•' held by thofe, who knew him, is beft declared by his being 
"^ called to officiate on thofe various public occafions, where em- 
" inence and diftin6lion are defired ; the manner, in which 
" he acquitted himfelf, did honor to him, and to thofe, who 
" felefted him.*" As a mark of refped for his chara6ler, 
he was honored with a degree of Do6lor of Divinity from a 
refpcftable literary inftitution of our country. 

* Many of Dr. B's Sermons were publiflied at the requefl of thofe* 
who heard them. A complete lift of them could not be obtained for in-- 
iertion in this place. They remain in the hands of his friends, as a fpeci- 
men of his talents, and pulpit eloquence. 



i6 

Upon his domeftic chara6ler may be beftowed unqualified 
praife, He was a husband, who deferved and received afFeftion- 
ate refpecl. He was a father, to whom his children looked with 
confidence, as their friend and guide ; .whom they venerated and 
loved. 

But nothing on earth is permanent. The good man, 
whofe lofs we deplore, was conftitutionally expofed to diftref- 
fing nervous affections ; and to deep gloom of mind. During 
the lad winter and fpring, his friends obferved, that his health 
was in fome degree impaired j and that he was often extremely 
depreffed. The gloom gradually thickened, and the dis- 
trels increafed. A few days fmce, we beheld, with trem- 
bling anxiety, that the cloud had completely enveloped him ; and 
at times, that the traces of rational exiftence were almoft en- 
tirely concealed.* It was hoped, that by taking him from the 
cares of his laborious ofhce, by giving him relaxation, and lead- 
ing his thoughts to the various and enchanting fcenes, which at 
this feafon, the face of nature prefents, his nerves might be bra- 
ced, tranquility of mind reflored, and he be returned to con- 
tinue, with his ufual ardour and fuccefs, the duties of an ambaf- 
fador of Chrift. But our hopes are deftroyed. Though much 
of his journey was pafTed by him in compofure of mind ; yet at 
fome periods of it he was afflicled with a mofl diftreffing flate of 
the nervous fj'flem. By the fufferings of thefe periods, his 
ftrength was fenfibly diminifhed. As the end of his courfe drew 
nigh, the tranquility of his mind was reftored. He was not per- 

* The Dr. experienced violent nervous fpafms, during which his 
mind was very much difordered. Thefe recurred about once or twice a 
dav, and continued from half an hour to an hour. 



17 

mitted again to pafs through a fcene of mental luffering. God, 
in mercy to hitn^ appeared for his relief. He removed the dark^- 
nefs, which had enveloped his mind, feperated his foul from 
the prifon of the body, and introduced it, as we truft, to an eter- 
nal and unclouded day. The laft hours of his life were worthy 
of his charafler. They were employed in devotional exercifes, in 
expreffions of confidence in God, and perfefl fubmiffion to his 
will.* 

An affli£led family, a bereaved church, a weakened band of 
brethren in the gofpel, and the friends of Chrift, who have heard 
his praife, or been benefited by his labours, remain to mourn his 
lofs. 

To the widow we would, on this melancholy occafion, 
addrefs the confolations of that religion, which fhe has long pro- 
feffed to believe. You, madam, have been accuflomed to pafs 
through fcenes of fufFering. You have found God faithful to 
his promifes. He has, in times pa ft, been your fupporter, and 
brought you from the furnace of affliftion. Trufl in him, and 
h« will continue to blefs you. Though he has taken the huf-- 

* Dr. Buckmi-nfter left diis town the 2d of June. His complaints 
firfl appeared alarming to his friends the preceding day. This was the 
firft time, that he had been incapable of attending upon the duties of his 
office. He preached the day before to his own parifh, and adrniniflered 
the Lord's Supper. For more than two days before his death the friends, 
who accompanied him, (late, that his mind was compofed. He was not 
thought by them to be dangeroufly fick, before the morning of the day, 
on which he died. He fpent a great part of the two days previous to his 
death in prayer. He died at Readfborough, Ver. June 10, of a mortifi- 
cation of the bowels : and was refpe£tfuliy interred at Bennington the 
next day. The Rev. Mr. Marfh of that town preached an appropriate 
Sermon on the occafion. The inhabitants teftified their refped: to his 
charader, and expreffed their fympathy with the affliQed widow. 



18 

band, on whom you hoped to lean for fupport, he has left you 
children to care for your happinefs, and to fuftain you in the 
evening of your Ufe. Be grateful for the bleffings, which remain, 
and throw your cares upon the Lord. .Remember the inftruc- 
tions and confolations, which, in former fcenes of affliftion, your 
deceafed husband gave you, and you will not want my feeble 
endeavours to guide your reflections. The widow's God ftill 
lives, and will fupport you. 

The children demand, and have our deepeft fympathy. 
Scarcely had you obtained a moment to compofe your feelings 
after the lofs of a brother, who was the pride of the literature of 
our country, and an ornament of the religion of Jefus, before 
you were called to a new fcene of woe.* You were called by 
the infcrutable providence of God to receive the overwhelming 
intelligence, that your guide and guardian was no more ^ that 
your father flept in death. Few have poITefTed fuch friends 5 
few have been called, uader circumftances of fo deep diftrefs, to 
mourn their lofs. Be grateful for the legacy of their examples ; 
be grateful, that they have left charadlers complete and unbro- 
ken. But I muft defift. He muft be infenlible to the ftrong 
emotions of the foul, who can believe that earthly friends, can 
afford that fupport, which you require. I commend you to 
God 5 He can and will comfort you. He is faying to you, 

V/HAT I DO, YOU KNOW NOT NOW, BUT YOU SHALL KNOW 
HEREAFTER. BE OF GOOD COURAGE, AND HE SHALL STRE^^*, 
GTHEN YOUR HEART. 

* The Rev. Jofeph S. Buckminfler, paflor of the church in Brattle- 
flreet, Bofton, died June 9th, after a diftrelTing ficknefs of lefs than a week. 
The news of his father's death was given to the family on the 15th of the 
fame month. 



19 

We would mingle our tears with the bereaved and afllic* 
ted church. He, who broke to you the bread of life, has left 
you forever. He, who led in your devotions, and brought to 
ygu the mefTages of Jefus Chrift, is filenced by death. The word 
of God in future you muft hear from the lips of ftrangers. You 
have been richly bleffed by the Great Head of the Church. He 
has given you a faithful minifter, and continued to you his 
labours for more than thirty years. You loved him, and his 
heart was united to you by the tendereft and moft facred tics. 
In the dark hours of his affliflion tears of gratitude flowed from 
his eyes, when he faw himfelf furrounded by friends, whom he 
had been inflrumental of introducing into the church of Chrift ; 
and when he heard, that their prayers were afcending to heaven 
to call down bleffings upon his head. Imprefs his excellencies 
upon your hearts, catch that fpirit of piety, by which his charac^ 
ter was diftinguiflied, and which influenced all his adive powers. 
Permit not his infi;ru£lions to be lofl: ; let them live in your lives, 
and bring forth fruit to the glory of God. Be inftant in prayer, 
that you may again be furniflied with a paftor, who fiall Jeed 
you with knowledge and under stand'uig^ and by his example guide 
you in the way to heaven. I promife you the fympathy and 
prayers of good men ; and, I truft, you will be fo humbled under 
the mighty hand of God, that, in his own time, he will exalt 
you. 

The congregation in this place cannot feel uninterefl:ed in 
the folemn event, which has called us into the houfe of our God, 
It becomes you ferioufly to inquire, how you have heard, and 
improved, under the minifl:rations of your departed friend and 
pafl:or. He is gone to render account of the manner, in which 



20 



lie preached 5 you muft foon anfwer at the bar of God for the 
manner, inr which you have heard. Though dead, he now addref- 
fes you by his part inftruftions and example, and intreats you to 
be jollowers of Chrifl as dear children. He points you to the 
Saviour, in whom was his truft, and befeeehes you to become 
reconciled to God, that you may be filled with everlafting joy. 
Particularly are thofe interefted on this occafion, who have en- 
joyed, and abufed the labours of a faithful fervant of Chrift ; 
who have hated knowledge and defpifed reproof. O ! that this 
providence might fpeak to fuch, as in a voice of thunder, and 
awaken them from the lethargy of lin to fpiritual life. You do 
not know the pain, which by your negleft of Chrift and falva- 
tion, you havecaufed your deceafed paftor to feel ; and the tears 
and prayers, which he has poured out for you in fecret places. 
You cannot now affed his happinefs. He is gone, where forrow 
and fighing are unknown. Death will foon terminate your 
probation. Tremble, tremble, for your fituation. I befeech 
you, be ye reconciled to God, accept the offered mercy, and fly 
from the wrath to come. 

My fathers, and brethren, in the miniftry, we ought, and, 
I truft, do feel a deep intereft on this mournful occafion. In 
this part of our country, where divifions and animofities are 
breaking up our churches, the lofs, which we are called to deplore, 
is no fmall calamity. The venerable fervant of Chrift, who 
ftatedly miniftered in this place, was an a6live, pious, and zealous 
member of our AflTociation. He was ever ready to ftrengthen our 
hands, and encourage our hearts. With tendernefs he reminded 
ns of our faults, and counfeled us in our difficulties. He gave 
fpirit and animation to our meetings, and invigorated our exer- 



21 

tions. To our churches he was a welcome medenger of Jefus, 
and he never refudd to labour in the fervice of his matter. V7e 
fliall fee his face no more. The memory of his virtues, I hope, 
will not be loft, nor his friendly counfels forgotten. At the com- 
mencement of the prefent year, he gave us appropriate inftruc- 
tions on the nature of our calling, and the fpirit, which fliould 
animate our labours.* He afforded a bright example of miaifte- 
rial induftry and zeal. He has gone to appear before his Judge, 
We muft foon follow him, and give account of our ftewardfhip. 
God grant, that in the hour of death our rejoicing may be, the 
Testimony of a good conscience, that in simplicity anb^ 

GODLY SINCEI^ITY, NOT WITH FLESHLY WISDOM, BUT BY THE 
GRACE OF GOD, WE HAVE HAD OUR CONVERSATION IN THE 

WORLD. At that hour may we be enabled to fay with as much 
truth, as wetruft, our departed father and friend could 5 i have 

FOUGHT A GOOD FIGHT, I HAVE FINISHED MY COURSE, I HAVE 
KEPT THE FAITH, HENCEFORTH THERE IS LAID UP FOR ME A 
CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, WHICH THE LORD, THE RIGHTEOUS 
JUDGE, WILL GIVE ME IN THAT DAY. 

In times like the prefent, under fuch melancholy vifitations 
of divine providence, as we are called to witnefs, we are expofed 
to indulge feelings of defpondency, and to tremble for the ark of 

* On the firft day of the prefent year Dn Buckminfter preached a 
ISermon at Hamptonfalls, particularly addrefled to the members of the 
Aflbciation. He unfolded the danger, to which Miniiters are expofed of 
negleding their own hearts, while they preach to others ; the neceffity of 
their poffeffing perfonal holinefs, and of their aiding each other in the 
duties of their refpoixfible office by the exercife of caadourj charity and 
Jove. 



22 

our God. But the minifters of Chi ift, as foch, fhould never know 
defpondency. The religion, which we preach to others, fhould 
bear us up under thefe trials. We are aflured, that the gates of 
hell will never prevail againft the church of Christ* It is founded 
on a rock, and cannot be moved. "'The gofpel lives, though the 
** preachers of the gofpel die. In that there is no change. The 
" everlasting gofpel is its name. No viciffitudes of private life, 
*^ no civil tumults, no publick revolutions, can injure or endanger 
^' it. It has comforted our departed friends. When we are dead, 
"it will comfort our furviving relatives. It will guide the 
" living and fuftain the dying, till that period of the divine admiii- 
" istration fhall arrive, when fin, and pain, and death, ihall be 
*^* no more." 








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